Combination match-receptacle and gas-key.



No. 889,597. PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.

I M.. JOYCE. COMBINATION MATCH RBGBPTAOLE AND GAS KEY.

APPLIOATION FILED 11513.24E 1906.

IIIIII W1 TNESSES:

rrnn s ra'rns ATENT FFIOE.

MARTIN JOYCE, OF ELIZABETH, NEIV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS F. LONG AND EMIL KLEE, OF ELIZABETH, NEIV JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Application filed February 24,1906. Serial No. 302,772.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN J oYoE, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combination Match-R eceptacle and Gas-Key, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a combined gascock key and match-receptacle; and its ob ject is to provide a match-receptacle which will be in close proximity to the burner and which will be provided with means for igniting the matches by the act of withdrawal thereof.

My invention consists of a match box or receptacle which forms the key of an ordinary gas-cock in lieu of the common thumbpiece. This receptacle is made of any suitable fireproof material and in any desirable form to accommodate a uantity of matches which are inserted head first therein, permitting the butt-ends to project out beyond the receptacle to enable a match to be readily grasped and withdrawn.

The inner surface of one of the walls of the receptacle is provided with a friction-surface extending to a point intermediate of the bottom of the receptacle, against which a compression plate or follower bears and holds the matches firmly against the friction-surface.

I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and

point out the novel features more particu.

larly in the annexed claims.

Figure 1 is a view showing my improvement attached to an ordinary gas-cock. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Like reference-letters refer to like parts throughout the specification.

In lieu of the ordinary thumb-key now employed on gas-fixtures I substitute a receptacle a, constructed of any suitable fireproof materialsuch as brass, aluminium, or the like-and which is made to accommodate a quantity of matches arranged in a single row. This receptacle is fixed to the cock I), which is seated in the usual manner in the elbow c, to which an ordinary burner tube or tip (1 is attached. The match-receptacle a is preferably made in the form of a square having its upper corner merged into the cock I).

For the purpose of igniting the matches when withdrawn I secure to the inner surface of the wall a of the receptacle and at a point in proximity to the bottom thereof a follower or compression plate 6, which is formed of flexible material and so secured that it is adapted to bear against the inner surface of the wall of the receptacle. This plate or follower is of the same dimensions as the interior of the receptacle and is provided with a thumb-piece or lug g, projecting beyond the top of the receptacle, by means of which the plate is retracted to permit of the insertion of matches f therein. The inner face of the wall a is provided with a frictionsurface 7;, which covers slightly more than half the area of the wall and against which the heads of the matchesf are firmly pressed by plate a and strike when withdrawn from the receptacle. O11 the outside of the wall a I also provide a friction-surface in the form of a panel for the purpose of striking matches.

Seated in a shoulder h in the elbow c is an adjusting-screw h, which is adapted to enthe lug 71 011 the cock I) and limit the movement of said cock. By means .of this adjustable screw device the ordinary chainand-ball device for regulating the flow of gas is dispensed with. The screw can be so adj usted that a flame of any desired size may be obtained.

hen it is desired to use my improved receptacle-key, the compression-plate is retracted by means of its thumb-piece and a quantity of matches is inserted head first between the compression-plate and the wall of the receptacle. Owing to the formation of the receptacle the matches arrange themselves in a single row with their butt-ends protruding, making it a simple matter to 5 grasp a match and withdraw it. In the act of withdrawal the match-head comes in 0011- tact with the friction-surface 011 the inside of the receptacle and owing to the pressure exerted thereon by the compression-plate ignites. The gas is then turned 011 by means of the key-receptacle and lighted.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a gas-fixture, the combination of an elbow, a plug piv otally seated in said elbow, a receptacle of fireproof material fixed to said plug and forming the key thereof, a flexible plate secured within said receptacle and IIO bearing against the inner surface thereof, and means on said elbow for limiting the movement of said plug.

2. In a gas-fixture, the combination of an elbow, a plug pivotally seated therein, a receptacle fixed to said plug and forming a key thereof, a friction-surface on the inner portion of said receptacle, a flexible plate hear ing against said friction-surface and an adjustable means on said elbow for limiting the movement of said plug.

3. In a gas-fixture, the combination of an elbow, a plug pivotally seated therein, a receptacle of approximately square form fixed to said plug and forming a thumb-piece thereon, a friction-surface upon the inner surface of one of the walls of said receptacle, a flexible plate secured to the opposite wall of said receptacle and bearing against said frictionsurface, a thumb-piece for retracting said plate and means for limiting the movement of said plug.

4. In a gas-fixture the'combination of an elbow, a plug pivotally seated therein, a receptacle fixed to said plug and forming a thumb-piece thereon, a frictionsurface on the inner face of one of the walls of said receptacle, a compression-plate fixed to the opposite wall of the receptacle and bearing against said friction-surface, a thumb-piece for retracting said plate and an adjustable device mounted on said elbow and adapted to limit the movement of said plug.

5. In a match-receptacle and gas-key, the combination of an elbow, a plug pivotally seated therein, a receptacle fixed to said plug and having the inner face of one of its walls provided with a friction-surface extending to a point intermediate of the bottom of the receptacle, a compression-plate secured to the opposite wall of the receptacle in proximity to the bottom thereof and adapted to bear against said friction-surface, a thumb-piece for retracting said plate, a shoulder on said elbow, and a screw seated in said shoulder apd adapted to limit the movement of said p u 6. In a match-receiptacle and gaskey the combination of an e bow, a plug pivotally mounted therein, a receptacle fixed to said plug and provided with a friction-surface on an inner portion thereof, a flexible plate bearing against said friction-surface, athumbpiece for retracting said flexible late, a lug on said plug, a shoulder on said elbow, and a screw seated in said shoulder and adapted to engage said lug for limiting the movement of said plug.

7. In a match-receptacle and gas-key, the combination of an elbow, a plug pivotally mounted therein, a receptacle fixed to said plug and provided with a friction-surface on the inner portion thereof, a flexible followerplate bearing against said friction-surface, a thumb-piece for retracting said plate, a lug on said plug, a shoulder on said elbow and means on said shoulder adapted to engage siliid lug for limiting the movement of said p ug.

8. In a match-receptacle and gas-key, the combination of an elbow, a plug pivotally mounted therein, a receptacle fixed to said plug and forming a thumb-piece thereon, a lug on said plug, a shoulder on said elbow and means on said shoulder adapted to engage said lug for limiting the movement of said plug.

MARTIN JOYCE.

Witnesses:

MIoHAEL A. JoYoE, Jr., JOHN HURLER, Jr. 

